Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr. Audrey Wales, pictured with volunteers from the Ballymena Samaritans, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary in the town. INBT34-213AC

Ballymena Mayor Audrey Wales welcomed volunteers from Ballymena Samaritans to a reception in her Parlour in The Braid to celebrate the 40th year of the branch in Ballymena.

Cllr. Wales thanked the volunteers for all their hard work and their continued commitment to supporting those in need in Ballymena and the wider rural community.

She said: “People should not see it as a weakness if they need support but as a strength of character to not only admit that they are struggling to cope but to reach out to talk to someone and Samaritans are always ready to listen.”

The Ballymena branch based at 45 Mount Street in the town supports a wide catchment area including Ballymena, Antrim, Ballyclare, Larne, Portglenone, Randalstown, Magherafelt, Templepatrick, The Glens and the wider rural community.

There are currently 60 active listening volunteers and anyone who is interested in volunteering with Samaritans should contact ballymenarecruitment@gmail.com or visit www.samaritans.org to find out more about the Samaritans service.

If you find that life is more than you can cope with, you do not need to hide behind a mask or put on a front, if you need someone to talk to, talk to Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or e-mail jo@samaritans.org and a trained volunteer will listen.